Marks & Spencer chief heads charge against EU regulations

BUSINESS leaders will this morning set out 30 EU regulations that they believe should be scrapped in order to help the British economy, in a boost for Prime Minister David Cameron’s plan to renegotiate a new relationship with Brussels.

The business taskforce, headed by a team including Marks & Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland, was commissioned by the government to identify “burdensome rules” imposed on Britain.

Key proposals include scrapping requirements for small firms to keep detailed health and safety assesments, oppose plans to introduce restrictions on shale gas exportation, and complete the pan-EU single market for services.

In an unusual move the businessmen will present their ideas directly to this morning’s cabinet meeting.

“Business people, particularly owners of small firms, are forced to spend too much time complying with pointless, burdensome and costly regulations and that means less time developing a new product, winning contracts or hiring young recruits,” Cameron said.

Simon Walker, president of the Institute of Directors, said the proposals should be taken to next month’s European Council meeting: “Efforts which could otherwise be spent on innovation and investment are instead exhausted battling complex regulatory burdens.”

EU President José Manuel Barroso insisted he is committed to the principle of ensuring “that the EU does not meddle where it should not”.